What Does Courage Look Like in Your 20’s?

Don’t wait for someone to tell you to lead. Lead where you are.

When you are 25 and in your first job after finishing school, it may seem best to hold back and play it safe. Sarah came to me one day and asked me how to prepare to be a future leader in our company. She had already distinguished herself as a hardworking salesperson and she won our company’s highest sales award in her first full year on the job. I told her she needed to continue to master her current job and then focus on leading where she was.

Her response reflected many young and ambitious people in their twenties. “Is that my role? I am the youngest on the team.”

I told her she had to get used to being uncomfortable if she ever wanted to be a leader. Don’t wait to lead. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to lead. You need to be a leader now before someone grants you the title of leader.

Stepping out at those moments, when you are younger than others, builds your character. To step out like this requires Courage.

You need Courage:

• To share with your boss or your team a new way of doing things when they are stuck

• To have a difficult conversation with your supervisor even when they might not like it.